Group 3 – Asian/Pacific Islander Culture

Group Members:

John Paul Dayawa Remy Lyn Salvidar

Teodoro Santelices Lyka Delos Santos
Clarisse Acacio Kristine Claire Tariman
Allysandra Marie Librando Dzerry Mar Vargas
Gladys Rodullo

SCRIPT

Narrator: People from Asian countries and Pacific Islands constitute the third major ethnic
sub cultural group in United State. They represent diverse minority populations with over 800
languages and dialects. Their beliefs and practices are not the same because a wide variety of
cultural and religious backgrounds are represented. Some similarities exist among members
of this group, but there are also many differences. By understanding the basic beliefs of the
Asian/Pacific islander people, nurses can be better prepared to understand and accept their
cultural differences and varied behavior patterns. The major philosophical orientation of the
Asian/Pacific Islander people is a blend of four philosophies- Buddhism, Confucianism,
Taoism, and phi.

And today, we will be showing you how Buddhists and Confucians practice their religion in
relation to health education. First off, let us start with Buddhism.

BUDDHISM

Narrator: At a place called Mabata, there lives a very rich man called Banyu. He has all the
wealth that many people are dreaming to have. But the only problem is, he does not want to
share and he has a nasty personality. Sitting at the highest part of his mansion, together with
his friend and also a nurse and a Buddhist clergy, Dohai, he sees how poor the people living
beside his mansion.

Banyu: Hahaha! Look at those people, Dohai. They are so poor. They don’t have anything to
eat. Unlike me, I can eat and have whatever I want.

Narrator: Looking with, concern, Dohai said…

Dohai: Why don’t you help them then? You have so many unused things and foods that you
can share with them.
Banyu: Ha! What do you think of me? A fool? There’s no way I will be sharing my things with
those kinds of people! Those pests keep on building houses on my land! I am planning to
demolish all of those houses and expand my mansion.

Dohai: Your house is already too big for you, why would you want to expand it more?

Banyu: So that I will not have a view of those filthy people! Without their houses on my land, I
will have a better view up here.

Dohai: Wow. You really don’t have a heart, do you? Just wait ‘til karma hits you.

Narrator: After walking out with disappointment, Dohai never visited Banyu again until…

Dohai: What happen to him, Doc?

Doc: Mr. Banyu has an acute myeloid leukemia, ma’am. Myeloid Leukemia is caused by damage
to the DNA of developing cells in the bone marrow. It is treatable and often curable with
chemotherapy with or without bone marrow or stem cell transplant.

Narrator: Having to know his disease, Banyu cried hard. Dohai hugged him and said…

Dohai: You’ll be fine. Everything will be fine. Remember the third truth that we Buddhists
believe? It can help you while you are undergoing treatment. I will help you with your therapy
and we will start with precept practice and meditation.

Narrator: And so, while Dohai helped Banyu with his treatment, she also accompanied him in
meditation, for they believe that meditation adds clarity and understanding to the flux and
change of everyday life. Having a peace of mind, Banyu continued to precept practice and
decided to share all of his wealth with his unfortunate neighbors. While giving them food to
eat and clothes to wear, Banyu was overwhelmed with the gratitude that he was receiving.

Banyu: Dohai, I never thought that sharing could be this happy. Everyone was grateful and
seeing them wearing those big smiles on their faces are overwhelming. I am glad that you asked
me to help. I am sorry for being so arrogant before.

Dohai: You are forgiven. Just always remember that suffering is found in every human desire
and to end our suffering we need to end those desires and cravings for it also brings an end to
our karma. And actually I have good news for you.

Banyu: What is that?

Dohai: You are now cancer free, Banyu!! You are cured!

Banyu: Really?! Are you serious? Oh. Thank Buddha!

Narrator: And that time onwards, Banyu continued sharing what he have and had a strong tie
with his neighbors. He also married his friend who also served as his nurse and they lived
happily ever after.

For you to understand it better, The Buddhist approach to health and healing is its emphasis
on spiritual practice. Buddhism asserts that spiritual practice makes it possible for an
individual not only to see opportunity for practice in the face of adversity, including sickness
and injury, but use the opportunity for personal transformation and transcendence. Choice
and practice are the two factors the Buddhist patient has most control over. As a result of
precept practice, meditation practice and skillful choice, the Buddhist patient suffers less and
has a greater sense of confidence and well-being.

So that ends our role play about Buddhist culture, next we will show how Confucians practice
their religion in relation to health education.

CONFUCIANISM

Narrator: A newlywed named Shan Chai and Dao Ming Sigat are preparing for an out of town
bonding for their honeymoon. But then, before leaving, the couple decided to visit a doctor
and ask what they should do to avoid getting pregnant. Because unlike most of the married
people, the couple is planning not to have a baby yet and just enjoy their married life
together for a while.

Shan Chai: Good morning, Doc.

Doctor: Good morning. How may I help you?

Shan Chai: Actually doc, I’m just here to ask for a recommendation. It is because my husband
and I just got married yesterday and we are planning to enjoy our married life together for a
while before having a baby. I just wanted to ask, what do you suggest in order for me not to get
pregnant?

Doctor: There are actually a lot of ways you can do to avoid getting pregnant ma’am but
abstinence is the only way to truly avoid pregnancy.

Shan Chai: Abstinence?

Doctor: Yes ma’am. Abstinence means not having any kind of sex.

Narrator: As soon as Dao Ming Sigat heard the meaning of abstinence, he started to have
violent reactions.

Dao Ming Sigat: Wait, what? Is there any other way?

Doctor: But if you are sexually active, there are many other options like using contraceptive
pills or the birth control pill. Birth control pills are the medicine with hormones that you take
every day to prevent pregnancy. But if you won’t aren’t taking it on time or changing it as
needed, it won’t do you any good. So do you consider using contraceptive pills?

Narrator: Since Dao Ming Sigat has the authority and dominance for he is the man, Shan Chai
turned to ask his husband for advice and permission.

Shan Chai: Hon, what do you think?

Dao Ming Sigat: Well that’s way better that your first suggestion, doc.

Shan Chai: So how should I take the pills?

Doctor: On taking the pills, you should always remember two things. First is, take the pill at the
same time every day. If you take the pill too early or too late, it can disrupt your hormonal
imbalance and this can make the pill less effective. Second is, Avoid missed doses, when you
miss a day, your birth control become less effective. Do you understand?

Narrator: After hearing the doctor’s explanation, the couple nodded as a sign of agreement.
But then, the doctor knows that Asians are more likely to respond passively to new
information, accepting it rather than actively seeking to clarify it. So the doctor had to ask the
couple what they had understood.

Doctor: Could you please repeat the things that you understand?

Shan Chai: By using birth control pills, I should take it at the same time every day and I should
avoid missed dose for better effectivity.

Doctor: Okay, good.

Shan Chai: Thanks for the help, Doc. We will be going now.

Narrator: And so, the couple left and Shan Chai started using contraceptive pills in accordance
to what the doctor said to her. Together with her husband, they enjoyed their time alone
together until they finally decided to have a baby.

And now, to understand it more clearly, Confucians believes in patterns of authority where men
has the male authority and dominance that is why, as shown in our role play, shan chai had to
ask his husband for permission. Confucians also believes in Man in Harmony with the universe
in which people are considered to exist between heaven and earth, and life has to be in
harmony with the universe.